Letter-file.



No. 798,080. l PATENTED AUG. 29, 1905.

` R. SPURGIN.

LETTER FILE.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 23, 1903.

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ROBERT SPURGIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LETTER-FILE.'

No. '798,0t0.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 29, 1905.

Application filed July 23, 1903. Serial No. 166,688.

To all 107mm it 71mg/ concern.-

' ing so-called letter-filing systems for filing correspondence andother papers, and this is accomplished by the use of an ordinary cabinetletter-file containing an index arranged for the double classificationof the letters or papers to be filed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents the "H designated leafof. the main index. .fr are attached separating-strips or markers; 0 cc, side of main index-leaf to which the strips are attached; t a, datedesignations; I), subalphabetical designations; f,

anchoring-tag. Fig. 2 is a single separatingstrip before folding; d, theplace of folding. Fig. 3 is a folded separating-strip; c, the place ofattachment to the main index-leaf. Fig. 4 is the filing-case fitted witha main and sub indexes complete; e e, alphabetical designations on themain index.

The indexes in all letter files that have heretofore come to my noticehave been composed of a series of leaves alphabeted serially at thesidein the usual manner of step-indexing and designed for but a singlealphabetical classification of the contents of a file. I am aware thatby assigning a single letterfile to each separate letter of the alphabetcorrespondence issometimes more minutely classified under the first twoor three letters of a surname; but for this method of lfiling the commonform of index, with full leaves, is also used, only the indexialdesignations being adapted to suit the requirement. Wherein my improvedletter-file differs materially from other kinds is that each full leafof its serially alphabeted main index is provided with a series ofpermanentlyattached designating strips or markers, Fig. l, fr a",bearing the letters of the alphabet b in their order. I claim nooriginality in the box or case provided as a holder for the index andits classified contents when in use nor in the contrivance -by which theindex is anchored to the'case inside. My improvement consists, asstated, in the index, Fig. l, designed to. be attached to thefiling-case in one of a variety of ways now commonly used. A more parand3, c o c.

ticular description of my invention is as follows:

Providing rst an ordinary Hat letter-filing case with hinged lid, Fig.4, a classifying-index is constructed for it consisting, first, of anumber of sheets of paper, usually corresponding to the number ofletters in the alphabet and in size equal to the area of thefiling-case- These are respectively designated on their right margin inthe usual manner of a stepped index, with the letters of the alphabet inserial order, Fig. 4, e e. Suitable provision is made by the use,preferably, of projecting tags f at the left margin of the sheets orotherwise for the anchoring of these sheets to the back of thefiling-case inside. In such manner is constructed what I am pleased tocall by Way of distinction the main classifying-index, forming a part ofmy invention. For each of the leaves of the main index a separatesubclassifying-index is next provided, consisting of a set of attachedstrips of paper, Fig. l, fr .fr m, and Figs. 2 and 3, extending overtransversely from the left edge, Fig. l, c c c, nearly or quite to theright edge of the leaf of the main index, to which they are attached,Fig. 4, e e. These strips are secured by an adhesive to the left edge ofthe leaf, Fig. 1, o c 0, so that they may be raised clear of the mainleaf nearly their entire length at pleasure. Each of the seriesconsists, preferably, of at least sufficient strips to provide aseparator or marker for each letter of the alphabet, except possibly afew of the less-used lettersnsuch as Qf X, Y, and f -which letters mayoccupy markers in common with other letters. To permit of the use ofstrips of suitable width for the purpose, the series for each leaf ofthe main index is divided into two layers, the strips in the upper layerbeing about onehalf inch shorter than those in the lower, thuspermitting the exposure of printed designations on the ends of all thestrips alike, Fig. l, t a b b. In making these \markers for greaterconvenience one long strip of paper is folded near the middle, Fig. 2,CZ, and Fig. 3, vertically, so that the shorter portion will be abovethe longer, and in attaching to the main-index leaf about one-half inchof' the under side of the nether strip at the place of folding, Fig. 2,d, and Fig. 3, c, is gummed and secured to the leaf at the left side,Figs. l The upper and shorter portion of the strip remains free from thefold to the IOO end. All the strips are arranged contiguously to oneanother, and each is independent of another in its action. The usualwidth of the strips is one inch preferably; but for g'reater convenienceand efciency the upper and nether strips at the top and bottom of' eachset are made much wider than the remaining strips between, as otherwisebeing at the extreme ends they would be liable to displacement in theprocess oflliling letters or transferring an index and its contents toanother case. Each leatl of' the main index, with its series of'attached separating-strips, is also distinct from and independentin itsvertical action of al] the others, the same as in an ordinaryletter-file index. The main index is alphabeted in the usual manner byexposed designations serially arranged along the right side of theseveral leaves, Fig. 4, e-e. These designations necessarily appear inbank beyond the edge of the subclassifying-index. Thesubclassifying-indexes,v composed of the transverse strips, Fig. 1, :v aa, are designated each with the several letters of the alphabet inserial order, each pair of strips consisting of the upper and netherstrip bearing, preferably, two consecutive letters, one on each, Figs. 1and 4, For example, the iirst upper strip vis designated ".A and the onebeneath 13, and so on for each pair of strips, except that a few stripsmay to much advantage bear two or more consecutive letters. The stripsare also designated with numerals, Figs. 1 and 4, a a, consecutivelyfrom 1 to 31, in similar arrangement to the alphabetic designations,representing dates or any other numeric indications desired. For othernumeric classifications than chronological other numbers may besubstituted for those indicated and shown, as required.

In the practical use of my improved letterle a letter may be filed in itunderltwo classifications, one determining its alphabetical location inthe main index and the other its alphabetical or numerical place in thesubindex at'that location. For instance, a letter from one John Harris,of Boston, to be classiiied according to bothv the town-name and writersname would be placed in the B section of the main index, Fig. 4, e e,for the town-name and under the H strip bb of that section for thewriters name. If a double classification under the writers name and theday of a month would be preferred, a letter from one Henry Jones, datedthe 21st of lthe month, would be filed in the J section ofthe mainindex, Fig. 4, e e, for the main classification, and under the stripmarked 21for the date classification, Fig. 4, a a.

My improved letter-file also affords a useful classification under thefirst two letters of' a surname. For example, in the case of the nameJohnsom a letter would be filed in the J section of the main index forthe initial letter and under the strip of that section marked "0 for thesubclassiiication under the second letter. Various other dualclassifications could lalso be availed of to advantage. Classified andsubclassiiied in the manner described and practically in one operation,letters or other papers filed in my improved letter-file are capable ofbeing turned up with great despatch. v

Having thus described my invention, what I now claim, and desire to besecured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a letter-file the combination of a cabi- -net filing-case with anindex consisting of a series of separate, alphabetically -indexed leavesprovided with rear anchoring-tags and each bearing an attached subindex,consisting of superposed, transverse, contiguous strips, seriallydesignated with the letters of' the alphabet and the numbers 1 to 31consecutively, substantially as described and set forth.

2. A dual classifying letter-file index, consisting oi'serially-designated leaves provided with suitable anchoring-tags and aseries of contiguous, superposed, transverse, rear-attached markersbearing serially arranged designations; all substantially as describedand for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof' I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT sPURGIN.

Witnesses:

W. S. BizoNsoN, MABEL R. BRoNsoN.

